Halyna Hutchins’ Husband and Son Sue Baldwin and Producers Over Fatal Shooting

The family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer fatally shot on the set of Rust, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against actor Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers. Announced during a Los Angeles news conference, the lawsuit was brought by Hutchins’ husband, Matthew, and their young son, Andros, in New Mexico.

According to attorney Brian Panish, “reckless conduct and cost-cutting measures” by Baldwin and others involved with the production directly caused Hutchins’ death. The legal team also presented an animated reenactment of the fatal shooting during the announcement.

Hutchins was killed, and director Joel Souza injured, on 21 October 2021 in New Mexico, when a gun Baldwin was holding discharged during a scene setup. Baldwin has stated the gun went off without him pulling the trigger, explaining that Hutchins had directed him to aim the weapon just off-camera.

The lawsuit alleges that industry safety standards were ignored, highlighting that a rubber or prop gun should have been used during rehearsals. Baldwin reportedly declined additional training for the gun draw he was attempting during the incident.

In January, Baldwin handed over his mobile phone to New York authorities as part of the investigation. Santa Fe County officials, who secured a warrant for the device, are still examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators have pointed to lapses in weapons handling on the Rust set but have not yet determined whether criminal charges will be filed. Baldwin has expressed confidence that he will not face criminal prosecution.

This lawsuit follows others filed by the film’s script supervisor and lead camera operator, who claim they suffered trauma from witnessing the incident. Additionally, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film’s armorer, has filed her own lawsuit against an ammunition supplier, alleging live rounds were mistakenly included with dummy ammunition.

In a December interview, Baldwin expressed sorrow but denied responsibility, stating, “Someone is responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but it’s not me.” He described Hutchins as a beloved colleague admired by everyone on set.

Hutchins, 42, was raised on a Soviet military base and pursued a career in film after working on documentaries in Eastern Europe. She was recognised as a rising talent in cinematography, known for her adventurous spirit and passion for storytelling inspired by real-life characters.